Federal Liberals confident ahead of two byelections
Posted June 21, 2013 7:55 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
There are no worries from the federal Liberals when it comes to protecting their seats in two upcoming byelections.
Denis Coderre quit to run for Montreal mayor, while Bob Rae resigned as Toronto-Centre MP after 35 years in politics Wednesday.
No dates have been set for the votes but there are already some big names eying a run in Rae’s old riding.
According to a Globe and Mail report, former CTV Canada AM co-host Seamus O’Regan may be considering a campaign. Before television, he worked as a political strategist in Newfoundland.
George Smitherman, Ontario’s first openly gay cabinet minister, is considering his options. He told Xtra that he is talking it over with his family.
Deputy Liberal Leader Ralph Goodale says he is confident the Grits will win back the seat.
“The party’s in good shape,” he said.
“It’s in better shape across the country generally speaking but both in Toronto and Montreal, the party is well-able to rise to these challenges.”
The Toronto-Centre riding has been a safe seat for the Grits since the 1993 election.
But in the last election, the NDP took 30 per cent of the vote and are hoping to stage an upset.
The NDP may have some star power of their own with former MuchMusic VJ Jennifer Hollett rumoured to be eying the candidacy.
